Disappointing Mid-Term Results After Laparoscopic Gastric Banding In Young Patients

When gastric banding was introduced as a bariatric operation about 12 years previously, its early results were promising, with a low complication rate. Only a few long-term studies on this subject have been published. This study was performed to assess our results with laparoscopic gastric banding in young patients after <= 10 years of follow-up.Methods: From January 1996 to December 2000, a total of 41 patients (83% female, 17% male) <25 years old underwent laparoscopic gastric banding at our institution. The patient data were derived front the electronic patient data system, paper charts, and a telephone interview. Psychosocial changes were analyzed using the Moorehead-Ardelt/Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System questionnaire.Results: The mean preoperative body mass index was 44.26 +/- 6.53 kg/m(2), with a mean excess weight of 65.22 +/- 20.48 kg. The body mass index after 1, 5, and 7 years was 31.50 +/- 7.38 kg/m(2) 31.12 +/- 7.10 kg/m(2), and 32.88 +/- 5.68 kg/m(2), respectively. The mean excess weight loss after 1 year was 60.07% +/- 25.33%, and after 5 and 7 years, it was 64.84% +/- 27.45% and 57.48% +/- 28.07%, respectively. An improvement in obesity-related co-morbidities was observed in nearly all patients. Of our patients, 52% had complications requiring reoperation (27% pouch dilation, 10% band leakage, 5% intragastral band migration, 5% perforation of either the esophagus or the stomach, and 5% port disconnection). According to Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System, the long-term outcome was regarded as a failure in 40%. fair in 4%, good in 28%, very good in 20%, and excellent in 8% of patients.Conclusion: Our mid-term results were disappointing, with a high complication rate and many dissatisfied patients. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2009;5:218-223.) (C) 2009 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.